Former Ooni of Ife’s queen, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, collapsed under police surveillance Friday following the devastating stampede at her Ibadan Christmas funfair that claimed multiple young lives. The event organizer was rushed to the Police Hospital at Eleyele for immediate medical attention, adding another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation.
The Christmas celebration, co-organized by Prophetess Naomi and Ibadan broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, turned catastrophic when attendance far exceeded planned capacity. Originally designed to accommodate 5,000 children at the Islamic High School, Basorun, the event drew over 7,500 attendees, creating dangerous overcrowding that led to the fatal stampede.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has personally taken charge of the investigation, signaling the gravity of the incident that has shaken the Ibadan community to its core. The scope of the tragedy became even more apparent when Oriyomi Hamzat, head of Agidigbo FM and co-organizer of the event, also required hospitalization following the incident.
The aftermath of the stampede revealed a haunting scene at the venue, with personal belongings of young victims scattered across the grounds. Children’s shoes, hats, and clothing items strewn along the path serve as silent testimonies to the chaos that unfolded during what was meant to be a joyous celebration.
Video footage that emerged in the wake of the tragedy has sparked widespread emotional responses across social media platforms, as viewers grapple with the stark reality of how quickly a charitable event intended to spread holiday cheer could turn deadly. The images of abandoned children’s belongings have become powerful symbols of the lives disrupted and lost in the catastrophe.
The incident has raised serious questions about event planning and crowd control measures in large-scale public gatherings, particularly those targeting children. Safety protocols and capacity management have become central topics of discussion as the community seeks to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
For Prophetess Naomi, the former queen consort of the Ooni of Ife, this tragedy represents a devastating turn of events in her post-palace life. Her collapse while in police custody underscores the immense emotional and physical toll the incident has taken on all involved parties, including the organizers who must now face both personal grief and potential legal consequences.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Prophetess Naomi and Oriyomi Hamzat has drawn increased attention to the incident, highlighting the need for stricter oversight of public events, regardless of the organizers’ social status or intentions. Their current medical conditions serve as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the tragedy on all involved parties.
Local authorities are now faced with the complex task of investigating how a charitable event could go so wrong while supporting a community in mourning. The presence of Inspector General Egbetokun suggests that lessons learned from this tragedy could influence future policies regarding public event management across Nigeria.
The Ibadan community, still reeling from the loss of young lives during what should have been a season of joy, now faces the additional challenge of rebuilding trust in public gatherings and charitable events. The incident has sparked conversations about the balance between community celebration and public safety, particularly when children are involved.
As investigations continue and the community begins its healing process, the collapse of Prophetess Naomi serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this tragedy – affecting not only the victims and their families but also those who, despite good intentions, now bear the weight of responsibility for this unfortunate turn of events. The incident stands as a somber warning about the critical importance of proper event planning and safety measures in public gatherings.
